hopefully

adverb

Definition of hopefullynext
as in optimistically
in a positive or optimistic manner They waited hopefully for the doctor to update them on their friend's condition. When the sun appeared, we asked hopefully if everyone remembered to bring sunblock.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hopefully Get prepared for it and hopefully put in a good performance (Saturday). — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2026 Fat Marmot Week is one approach to attract interest — and hopefully donations — to keep the work going. — Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 So hopefully, this is just the beginning of the journey, just an opening project. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Anne just celebrated her 76th birthday on August 15, and hopefully took some downtime with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopefully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefully
  1. optimistically
  2. cheerfully
  3. confidently
  4. happily
  5. joyfully
  6. positively
  7. joyously
Adverb
  • The bill’s supporters optimistically stress how Thune has promised there will be a vote in September.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The doc ends optimistically with a brief shot of the Tesla Roadster prototype.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 26 July 2026
Definition of optimistically
Adverb
  • Her workspace is cheerfully cluttered with Yankees memorabilia—pretty much what a twelve-year-old might fantasize a Yankees executive’s office to look like.
    — Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The group cheerfully lifted beer cans and waved around hats, with one person even holding up their toddler for the shot.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheerfully
Adverb
  • Tea slushies, lemonades, fruit punches, and aguas frescas are confidently complete on their own; a splash of a spirit is an optional pairing rather than the standard offering.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Private equity firms and banks don’t have much historical financial data to confidently invest in these projects, and companies are still figuring out how to use humanoids at large scale.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidently
Adverb
  • Highlights and experiences You could happily treat Luura as a gallery with a pool.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Reporters and athletic administrators are among his most devoted buyers and coaches happily take his calls each year.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of happily
Adverb
  • As the jingle continues, the surrounding people come together, joyfully singing with Kelce while holding containers of urine.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Do not go lightly, but go joyfully because riding the tundra mountain wilderness may be your ultimate connection with the natural world—and your role in it as a legitimate hunter.
    — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of joyfully
Adverb
  • Employees can answer the first question positively while simultaneously giving a negative response to the second.
    — John Radman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The drive didn’t start positively as the Willis’ first two passes fell to the ground.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of positively
Adverb
  • But those scenes of coming together joyously around this team, this diverse team, this remarkable team from all points, [Folarin] Balogun himself a birthright citizen leading this.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • At the same time, the episode still leaves space for slower beats, including some joyously non-essential downtime moments.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of joyously

Browse Nearby Words

hopeful
hopefully
hopefulness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hopefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefully. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of southpaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All